Lacing for radome panelling



`Fan. 6, 1959 c. T. WITTL 2,867,021

LACING FOR RADOME PANELLING Filgd sept. 25, 1957 .su Tem-m1,@ wi -f fr A aai g "SA INVENTOR.

BY mi Si@ (Law #fraz/wry 2,867,021 LACING Fon RAnoME Y'PaisuL/L`I'NG Casimir T. Wittl, Tallmadge, Ohio, assignorito the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force Application September 23, 1957, Serial ll\lt`).68`5,764k 3 Claims. (Cl. 24-140) The present invention relates to a device and method for lacing radome panelling and, more particularly, to a method and a device for effecting a hinge type lacing for radome panelling.

One of the chief problems encountered in the construction of radomes is effecting a structure wherein all materials are noninterfering. Plastics are ideal from this point of view but great expense is involved in the formation of mol-ded double walled radomes.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a new type of radome p'anelling and a new method of attachment of radome panel sections.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a molded double walled or intiated radome lacing, which makes it possible for the -radome to be made in sections and fabricated at the location of use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simplified hinge style laced connection for airmats, which affords lateral stability and wherein all final lacing can be done from one side.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a View of the inside of a section of a radome structure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View similar to Fig. l, taken on the outside of the radome structure from a position in front of and above the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view of a portion of the outside of the device, showing the panels loosely laced together, and showing the elements on the inside of the device in phantom.

While Fig. l will be referred to for convenience as the inside and Fig. 2 as the outside of the radome, the invention is not thus restricted. Figs. l and 2 represent opposite sides, and are not restrictive as to location.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, and 12 represent the inflated panelling or airmats of a radome structure.

The material from which these inflated panels are made may be fabric, impregnated fabric, or any of the suitable plastics. Strips 14 and 16 are glued or cemented along the areas 15 and 17 or are secured in any other suitable manner to the airmat panels 10 and 12, and spaced a distance from their edges. These strips are formed with a channel or tube 19 along adjacent edges, and may be formed by folding double the material of the strip. A series of reinforcing patches 18 are incorporated into the strips 14 and 16. The patches 18 may be made of circles of material having holes 21 cut out of their centers. They constitute reinforcements for openings in strips 14 and 16, which openings coincide with the holes 21.

The reinforcing patches 18 are positioned on the strips 14 and 16 so that when the mating edges of the panels are placed adjacent each other, the patches lie in vertical staggered relationship. Each of the patches is secured to its strip 14 or 16 in such a way as to form a channel which is continuous with the channel 19, and through 'which ropes 22 or other such reinforcing cables are 2 threaded. The holes A21 and the rope 22 form eyes `24. The eyes 24 are the anchoring places for a series ofstraps 26.

Each strap 26 is secured in any suitable manner into the eye 24 and anchored to the rope 22. The straps 26 are formed on their opposite ends with a loop 28 which is fabricated on the strap in any suitable manner. The strap 26 may be a closed ring or loop. Y

Referring now to the outside or opposite side (see Fig. 2), each yofthe panels or airmats 10 or 12 areprovided on their exterior surfaces with a pair of reinforcing strips 30 and 32. These strips are provided with reinforcing patches 34, and ropes or cables 36 and 38, which form the eyes 39. This strip, loop, rope and eye arrangement is similar in construction on the inside and outside, with the exception that while the patches 18 on the inside of the structure are located in alternate staggered relationship, the patches 34 on the outside are not placed in staggered relationship but occur in pairs directly opposite to each other.

From Fig. l it will be seen that the straps 26 are drawn through from the inside to the outside between the edges of the airmat panelling and appear on the outside in a series of loops extending alternately lirst toward .one panel and then toward the other. The iinal lacingand attachment of the two airmat panels is accomplished with the lacing cable or ropes 40 and 42. This lacing may be in two sections 40 and 42 or it may be in one section travelling up one edge and going down the other. In any event the cable 40 is tied into the eye opening at one extreme end as shown at 41 in Fig. 4. It is then laced through a loop 2S and an eye 39 to the next adjacent loop 28 going in an upward direction through the next adjacent eye 39 and so on until the end of the seam is reached. It may then be anchored at the top in any suitable manner or continue downward unsevered through loop and eye as before and anchored as shown at 43. The anchoring for the cable 19 is shown at 44 in Fig. 1.

It is to be understood that a variety of materials can be used in this construction and the choice is limited only by expedience, and their resistance to some electrical impulses, and their transparencies to others where radar techniques are concerned.

A strip 46, anchoring the edges 48 of the airmats 10 and 12 by means of bolts 50, is an example of one of the ways the airmat panels may be secured to an aircraft or other foundation structure.

It will be noted that the reinforcing patches 18 on the inside are placed in staggered relationship, while the patches 34 on the outside are placed opposite each other. The straps 26 thus fall between the patches 34 as they are drawn through to the opposite side.

While the invention is shown and described in connection with one form for illustrative, rather than restrictive purposes, it is obvious that changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

l. A hinge type lacing for panelling for double walled structures comprising a first double walled panel and a second double walled panel, four strips attached to said panels in parallel relationship, one positioned adjacent each adjoining panel edge and spaced therefrom, said strips being formed with a tubing along the inner edge of each, and having space-d openings in said tubing, reinforcing patches placed along said strips and around said tubing, said patches having openings coinciding with the openings in said strips, four ropes, one drawn through each of said tubings and forming with said openings a series of eyes along the facing edges of said strips, a series of looped straps secured into the eyes which are -3 located on one side area of said rst and second panels, said looped straps being drawn through between the mating edges of said first and second panels, a rope anchored on said lirst panel and threaded upwardly, first through an eye located on one side area of said first panel, then through a looped strap originating from the opposite side of said second panel, through an eye of said first panel and so on upwardly until all of the eyes on one side of the first panel and all of the loops originating from the second panel have been engaged, then threaded downwardly, lirst through a free eye located on said second panel, then through a loop originating from said first panel and so on until all free eyes on said second panel, and all loops originating from said first panel are engaged.

2. A connection for panelling for radome and like structures comprising a pair of panels placed in juxtaposition to present an inner surface and an outer surface, a strip attached to each inner panel surface and each outer panel surface, said strips being positioned parallel to and spaced from the edges of said panels, tubing along the facing edges of each strip having spaced openings therein, cording drawn through said tubing and forming eyes with said openings, straps provided with loops secured into the eyes on the inner surface and drawn through between the edges of said panels to the outer surface, a rope drawn alternately `and progressively through an eye on the outer surface of one panel and a loop originating from the inner surface of the other of said panels until all eyes on the outer surface and all lsaid tubing being provided with spaced lateral openings,

an elongated member drawn through each lof said tubing strips and forming eyes with said openings, straps provided with loops secured into the eyes yon the inner surface and drawn through between the edges of said panels to the outer surfacea lacing element drawn alternately and progressively through an eye on the outer surface of one panel and a loop originating from the inner surface of the other of said panels until all eyes on the outer surface and all loops originating from the inner surface have been engaged, said rope being anchored at its ends with respect to said panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 371,394 Warren Oct. 11, 1887 443,390 Caen Dec. 23, 1890 767,030 Baker Aug. 9, 1904 2,339,427 Roseman lan. 18, 1944 

